Section 15-11-477. (Effective January 1, 2014) Orders for behavioral health evaluations

   (a) At any time prior to the issuance of a final dispositional order, the court may order a behavioral health evaluation of a child alleged to be or adjudicated as a delinquent child which may be conducted by DBHDD or a private psychologist or psychiatrist.

(b) The court shall order and give consideration to the results of a child's behavioral health evaluation before ordering a child adjudicated for a class A designated felony act or class B designated felony act placed in restrictive custody; provided, however, that such order shall not be required if the court has considered the results of a prior behavioral health evaluation of such child that had been completed in the preceding six months.

(c) Statements made by a child during a behavioral health evaluation shall only be admissible into evidence as provided in Code Section 15-11-479.

Code 1981, § 15-11-477, enacted by Ga. L. 2013, p. 294, § 1-1/HB 242.